Nikon has introduced a new flagship pro DSLR to sit at the top of its product line. Here, we take look at the most important features on the new introduction.

1. Redesigned 16.2 MP sensor

The Nikon D4 features a 16.2 million pixel FX format sensor, which includes redesigned 14-bit A/D signal processing.

2. Autofocus “in the dark”

Nikon claims that this camera can see, shoot and autofocus in the dark.

Not only does it have an ISO range of 100-12800, which is expandable down to ISO 50 and up to a whopping 204,800, it also promises that automatic focusing is possible in extreme low-light situations, all the way down to -2EV. On top of that, the key buttons now have illumination, allowing quick visibility in the dark.

3. Full HD video recording with new movie modes

Full HD video recording at 30p, 25p and 24p frame rates are available, while slow-motion movies can be created, but only at 720p.

A new interesting feature is the multi-area mode, allowing videos to be recorded in three different crop formats, FX (full frame), DX (crop-sensor) and native full HD (1920 x 1080). This gives the possibility of using the same lens to produce three different crops and depth of field effects.

4. Redesigned ergonomics

Nikon claims to have been listening very closely to photographers, and has therefore made a number of ergonomic upgrades to the D4.

These include better one-handed shooting when in portrait mode and a shutter release button at a different angle.

5. New screen

On the back of the camera a 3.2 inch LCD monitor with 921k dot resolution and automatic brightness control is included.

Nikon claims that the screen now very closely resembles sRGB colour space to more accurately represent colours.

6. Improved autofocus performance

Eleven central AF sensors can even be used even when the combined maximum aperture is f/8, which should be of particular interest to sports and wildlife photographers – especially those using teleconverter lenses.

For example, a 600mm f/4.0 lens with a 2x teleconverter still retains the power of 11 central AF sensors (including 1 cross type) even though the effective maximum aperture is f/8.

7. New card format

The D4 is the first camera on the market to use the newly announced XQD memory card format (along with the traditional CF format), which boasts incredibly fast read and write speeds.

8. iPhone/iPad resolution shooting

When using the additional WT-5 Wireless Transmitter, a HTTP mode has been specially designed to work with iPhone and iPad screen resolutions – meaning you can remotely control the camera via your tablet or phone.

9. It’s made in Tokyo

The D4 is being manufactured in Nikon’s Sendai plant in Tokyo, meaning that the recent problems with the flooding in Thailand shouldn’t affect the production of the camera. Furthermore, Nikon also says that it expects stock demand to be fulfilled quickly once the on-sale date is surpassed.

10. Availability and price

Keen to not only cash in on the upcoming London Olympics in the summer, but wanting to trump its closest rival, Nikon has made the D4 cheaper and available before the recently announced Canon EOS 1DX. The RRP for the D4 is £4,799.99, with sales starting on 16th February.